Page 81 of Falling for Finn

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

OAKLEY

DAY 19

I wakeup with a heaviness in my heart, and I’m full of dread as this is the day I leave for good. Yesterday, I experienced one of the best Halloweens I’ve had as an adult. I was especially glad I woke up without a hangover, considering how much cider I had.

The Maplewood Falls festival was incredible, and the reaction from the crowd when my painting was presented was even better. When everyone applauded and gushed over it, I nearly burst into tears but somehow kept it together. Afterward, the city council and mayor thanked me so many times, I lost count. I made Finn promise he’d send me a picture once it was hung in the town hall.

Although Finn and I didn’t dress up, the kids in costume were adorable. Watching the winner of the pumpkin-carving contest accept their trophy was one of the highlights. Hundreds were carved and set out for people to vote on as well as a panel of judges. All I have to say is Vermont takes their pumpkin carving very seriously, and I don’t know how half of these designs were humanly possible.

Most importantly, I spent the day with Finn. We held hands and kissed, and being together felt right. I ate so many caramel apples, my stomach hurt, but I didn’t care. That evening, Finn took me around the farm so I could say goodbye to everyone. Hugging his grandma was the hardest.

Once we got home, we made love and held each other until we fell asleep.

However, all of that is making today that much harder.

After we wake up and devour each other—which felt more like a final goodbye than a good morning—Finn kisses the softness of my neck as he holds me. I try to take in every second with him and cherish every moment we have left. I breathe in his musky scent, trying to remember the softness of his sheets and comforter, and how warm his body feels pressed against mine while I sleep.

We lie in each other’s arms until we’re forced to get up and get dressed. Reality calls, and I can’t miss my flight. He wouldn’t let me anyway.

Finn puts my luggage in the truck as I make us some coffee. I try to keep the mood light, but it’s obvious neither of us is enthusiastic about my departure. A black cloud floats over us, and I’m sure it’ll follow me back to California.

I’ve avoided thinking about what I’d say and do when our fling ended. Now, it feels like it snuck up and is smothering me.

“Thank you,” Finn says when I offer him his to-go mug. He wraps his strong arms around my waist and slides his tongue inside my mouth.

I moan against him, wishing things could be different.

“Welcome.” I take a sip of mine, and it nearly burns the roof of my mouth.

“We should get going,” he reminds me as if he knows I’m stalling.

“Yeah, guess so.” I breathe out slowly.

“I’ll get all your supplies shipped this week, so you should have them in a few days.” He gives me a sad smile.

I look at the boxes stacked by his front door. “One more task from this pain in the ass, and you’re in the clear.”

“Ha! Loading them might break my old back,” he says, and I laugh at him being able to make a joke at his own expense.

He locks up and grabs my hand as we move to the truck. Quickly, he opens my door, and I hop inside. I yawn at how early it is. The sun hasn’t even come out, so fog hovers above the road.

“So how would one go about ordering some of that cider?”

“On the website,” he explains. “You liked it, huh?”

“Hell yeah. Might have to make it a tradition after I finish up a project,” I offer.

“Sounds like a good tradition,” he tells me. We’re making small talk about nothing because I don’t know what to say after the time we’ve spent together. I didn’t expect it to hurt like this.

When he turns onto the main road, I clear my throat. “Have you decided what you’ll tell everyone when they ask about us?”

He nods. “I’m gonna tell them that we broke up. Make up some excuse that neither of us wanted to do the long-distance thing and that you couldn’t uproot your life to move here.”

“Sounds reasonable,” I tell him and glance out the window. “I’m sure they’ll all forget about me once you start dating someone else.”

He laughs. “Oh, sure. Because handfuls of women are waiting on the sidelines to swoop in once you leave.”

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